Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Cuomo to decide on feral cat bill

ALBANY – The fate of a bill to give a state-backed boost to groups that neuter feral cats is in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s hands.

If signed into law, the measure would allow the state to offer grants to non-profits that capture, spay or neuter and vaccinate feral cats before returning them to the wild. The money would come from the state’s Animal Population Control Program, which is funded in part by a fee on dog licenses.

The bill caused a split among animal-rights groups and environmental organizations, spurring a flurry of lobbying activity in Albany in the weeks before the legislature broke its annual session Thursday.

“We’re really hoping that it does get passed,” said Enya Kechari, treasurer of the group. “There are a lot of neighborhoods that can really use that help.”

The Senate ultimately passed the bill late Wednesday by a 49-11 vote, a month after the Assembly approved it 139-0.

“New York lawmakers have taken a critical step to help reduce pet overpopulation throughout the state by voting to allow state Animal Population Control Program funds to be used in support of (trap-neuter-release) programs,” said Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals, in a statement.

In some cases, the proposal created unlikely allies: both People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as PETA, and the New York Sportsmen’s Advisory Council opposed it. PETA is known for its fierce opposition to harming animals, while the sportsmen group represents hunters.

Critics of the measure say trap-neuter-release programs are ineffective, with some saying euthanizing feral cats is a more-effective alternative. Among the bill’s supporters were various groups representing municipalities, who say feral cat colonies are a growing concern for local governments.

Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for Cuomo, said Monday the bill is “under review.”

The bill would allow the state to divert up to 20 percent of the Animal Population Control Program fund to trap-neuter-release programs. As it stands, the fund is reserved for groups that offer low-cost spaying or neutering for animals adopted by shelters.